POLICE are urging witnesses to come forward after a man was viciously attacked outside a nightclub at the weekend.

The attack happened outside Basildon’s LGBT+ nightclub Colors, in Southernhay, shortly before 4.30am on Sunday.

The victim, a man aged in his 40s, was targeted by four men just outside the nightclub.

The gang beat him badly before fleeing the scene.

Essex Police attended and cordoned off a large section of Southernhay while forensic examinations were carried out at the scene.

Police tape was guarded by an officer for most of the morning and officers are now urging anyone with information to get in touch.

A spokesman for the force added: “It is believed that the assailants got into a silver Fiat and drove off.

“The victim was taken to hospital for his injuries, which are not life-threatening or life-changing.

“Anyone with information, or any businesses with available CCTV in the area of Market Square and Southernhay which may have captured the incident, are asked to call us on 101 quoting incident 228 of 31/03.”

The club, which usually closes at 2am, was hosting a special event featuring international DJ David Morales and was open until 4am so clubgoers leaving the venue may have seen the suspects in the area at the time.

Asked whether the incident was being treated as a hate crime, the spokesman said investigators were “keeping an open mind” and following all lines of enquiry at the moment.

They added: “We do not have any evidence to suggest that this is a hate crime although we do believe it is a targeted incident.”

There is no detailed description of the suspects at this time.

A spokesperson for the Beehive and Colors nightclub said: “An incident took place outside the venue which was closed at the time.

“We have supplied CCTV footage and are assisting police with their investigation.”

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.